See your doctor if you have any neck pain or other whiplash symptoms after a car accident, sports injury or other traumatic injury. It’s important to get a prompt and accurate diagnosis and to rule out broken bones or other damage that can cause or worsen symptoms.
Can a Dr do anything for whiplash?
In short, the answer is yes, a doctor can help with a whiplash injury. While your primary care physician may not be able to treat soft tissue injuries with more than pain medicine, a chiropractor can diagnose the problem and treat it at the source.
Is it bad to leave whiplash untreated?
Untreated whiplash can lead to chronic neck pain. In some cases, it can cause serious issues like: Misalignment of the spine. Degenerative disc disease.
How do you know if whiplash is serious?
your symptoms spread to your shoulders or arms. moving your head becomes painful. you have numbness or weakness in your arms.
Do I need to see a doctor if I think I have whiplash Related Questions
Can whiplash be self treated?
Either heat or cold applied to the neck for 15 minutes every three hours or so can help you feel better. Over-the-counter pain medications. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), often can control mild to moderate whiplash pain.
Does whiplash show up on xray?
The difficulty with diagnosing whiplash is that it does not really show up on an X-ray, CT scan or an MRI scan. The diagnosis is usually made by asking the patient how they feel and then proceeding from there. People usually have pain in the back of their neck and they find that the pain is worse when they move.
Can whiplash be treated at home?
Most whiplash gets better with home care. Your doctor may advise you to take medicine to relieve pain or relax your muscles. He or she may suggest exercise and physiotherapy to increase flexibility and relieve pain. You can try wearing a neck (cervical) collar to support your neck.
Is whiplash lifelong?
Doctors now know that whiplash pain can mean lifelong pain and disability if the associated injuries are not properly cared for when they occur.
What makes whiplash worse?
When it comes to whiplash, rest equals rust. You may not want to move around after a whiplash injury for fear of making the pain worse. But resting for more than a few days can cause the muscles in your neck, shoulders and back to get stiff and weak — and actually prolong the pain.
How many days does whiplash last?
Whiplash symptoms can last from a few days to many months or even longer, depending on the severity of the injury to the soft tissue in your neck and upper back.
What are the stages of whiplash?
Grade 0: No complaints about the neck. Grade I: Neck complaint of pain, stiffness or tenderness only. Grade II: Neck complaint AND musculoskeletal sign(s). Grade III: Neck complaint AND neurological sign(s). Grade IV: Neck complaint AND fracture or dislocation.
Is it OK to massage whiplash?
Is It OK to Get a Massage After Whiplash? Yes, but the general advice is to proceed slowly. Massage and bodywork can address the discomfort that accompanies whiplash, but it is recommended to wait a few days and undergo a thorough assessment.
How do you test for whiplash?
X-rays. Computerized tomography (CT) scans. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.
How can I make my whiplash heal faster?
Rest. Just like any other injury, rest can relieve whiplash symptoms. Use Neck Support. Your doctor may advise you to wear a neck foam or brace to relieve pain and promote healing. Apply Hot/Cold Packs. Take Medication. Stay Active. Treatment For Whiplash Wellington, FL.
Does paracetamol help whiplash?
Painkillers such as paracetamol will help to ease the pain caused by whiplash. Taking painkillers regularly, rather than only when the pain is severe, may help to prevent the pain getting worse (do not exceed the recommended dose).
What is the longest whiplash can last?
Moderate cases of whiplash can last up to six months. Severe cases of whiplash can last for a year or be considered semi-permanent because it will not go fully away until the appropriate treatments are administered. Whiplash symptoms that last the longest tend to be migraines and seemingly random neck pains.
Does whiplash go to the brain?
Research has proven for some time that whiplash causes injury to the cervical spine. However, recent studies have shown that those suffering from whiplash are also at an increased risk for traumatic brain injury (TBI). Brain injury can occur with or without a direct impact to the head.
What age is whiplash for?
Whiplash is rated R by the MPAA for strong language including some sexual references.
Do you sleep a lot with whiplash?
Whiplash Symptom #7: Exhaustion When you get a bad bout of whiplash, your body works hard to get rid of your pain. As a result, you may feel extra tired, even if you’re sleeping often.
How do you sleep with whiplash?
Sleep on your back or side ‚Äù Don’t sleep on your stomach while recovering from whiplash, as it creates an arch in your spine and places pressure on your neck. Sleeping on your back or side keeps your neck and spine aligned and supports your head.